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SLTB to recruit women with air hostess-level uniforms
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Colombo, Sept. 21 (Daily Mirror) - Women will soon join the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) as drivers and conductors, dressed in newly designed uniforms at air hostess level, Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake said.
He noted that interviews are underway to recruit 450 drivers and 300 conductors, with female staff included in the intake.
In the initial phase, women will be deployed to school buses in the Colombo district, before the programme is expanded.
Comments - 54
Comments - SLTB to recruit women with air hostess-level uniforms
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Jagath Leanage Sunday, 21 September 2025 01:58 PM
Believe those busses will not air borne.
11 67
Prasanna Sunday, 21 September 2025 09:09 PM
This shows the immature mind of the transport minister. How come a woman drives a vehicle such as a bus, in a uniform designed for flight stewardesses? Did he consider the weather in this country? The best uniform would be T-shirts and a pants.
1 8
Dr Soori Maripalan Wednesday, 24 September 2025 12:24 AM
LATmali is silent on this.
0 2
Dr. Dee esquire Sunday, 21 September 2025 02:23 PM
No offense but driving a leyland lorry bus in saree? Would be challenging for a female conductor to navigate inside the bus during peak hours . But a good move towards a better future!
11 99
Michael Sunday, 21 September 2025 02:25 PM
Control the passenger number in a bus. Otherwise no woman will be able to survive the ride...
1 82
Sally B Sunday, 21 September 2025 02:41 PM
This is very forward thinking and I bet women drivers will do a better job of safe driving and decent conduct. Hope the uniform is not an osariya or skirts/dresses! Also please mandate this uniform for all drivers across the country to have consistency and professional dress code across the board.
7 87
Hadam Sunday, 21 September 2025 07:54 PM
Saudi was safest country till they allowed women to drive.
79 16
Dr Tissa Fernando Monday, 22 September 2025 08:13 AM
There is no foward thinking in this. Forward thinking is actually to eliminate the Conductor job altogether and allow only card payments. The cards should be scanned when getting in and getting out ,if not scanned while getting in, the inspectors should fine the culprits. If not scanned when exiting the bus, the full fare of the route should be deducted from the card balance. Netherlands has a fantastic system similar to that. This idea of pacha government is just a show for the gallery. Women in Sri Lanka drive light vehicles and there is no legal restriction for them for driving heavy vehicles, so even Women bus drivers is nothing new to be called as forward thinking.
3 4
Christo255 Sunday, 21 September 2025 03:42 PM
Another bullshit and a stupid idea, look at the working conditions.
69 55
ANNE CUNT Sunday, 21 September 2025 07:42 PM
what a good idea. keep up the good work NPP
21 37
SLBus passenger Sunday, 21 September 2025 04:00 PM
Hopefully they will have air hostess level courtesy towards passengers, be well spoken and decent driving skills. The modayas we have driving buses and tuk tuks in SL are sub human. Just look at their driving skills and accidents.
2 58
SLTB Sunday, 21 September 2025 04:18 PM
OMG!! First get some proper buses! It's actually not even worth commenting!
6 86
Marie Sunday, 21 September 2025 04:20 PM
Way to go SLTB. Let’s try this out.
11 48
melville perera Sunday, 21 September 2025 04:30 PM
a 60 seater bus would be ideal for them as the current buses are lorry chassis converted to buses and unsuitable for our roads
4 47
CHOICE OF UNIFORM IS NOT SUITABLE FOR A BUS DRIVER Sunday, 21 September 2025 10:29 PM
60-Seater would be not a good idea for a start especially with our roads and most of the women who apply to drive a bus would be women who would be driving for the first time and would need proper training to navigate on our roads. As for uniform being similar to Airline Hostess is most unsuited for females and most uncomfortable to say the least (would have restricted leg movement with all rounds of cloth wrapped around the waist and driving around in the heat with a saree, A Sorong would go around once and tucked in a saree has yards of cloth to wrap round ones waist).
2 0
Ram P Sunday, 21 September 2025 04:37 PM
Providing uniforms to female staff is likely to offend the male staf that can result in a strike. Government must balance that too
5 32
Mike Sunday, 21 September 2025 04:46 PM
Ridiculous. More appropriate long pants and short sleeve shirt. Its 3025.
6 45
Lankan Sunday, 21 September 2025 04:47 PM
This is a good idea but please , please and please train them well before you employ them and our country side and hillsides are very dangerous to drive : I don’t undermine their driving skills but they must be professionally trained for health and safety reasons : but this is good idea because of equality and empowerment and equality laws : they too need to contribute to the development of the country and make sure to give full security for them :
5 43
Rana Sunday, 21 September 2025 05:07 PM
please give a practical and easy uniform... no need to to airhostess level
2 82
DHA Sunday, 21 September 2025 06:48 PM
Provided they are A/C buses then this move is good otherwise feel sorry for the ladies.
2 23
Con Ductor Sunday, 21 September 2025 06:54 PM
Bimal Rathnayake is talking lots of crap and rubbish.. Just make it simple and comfortable for the SLTB employee..! There is a difference between Airplanes and Buses..!
3 69
Dr Tissa Fernando Sunday, 21 September 2025 07:07 PM
Very stupid idea. These people are required to work in hot conditions so Airhostess level uniforms will be extremely uncomfortable. Also , the expenses on these will be enormous too. A simple uniform consisting of loose while shirt and a trouser of any colour but wearing an ID may be appropriate.
3 60
D V K THARAKA Sunday, 21 September 2025 07:09 PM
These jobs need physical endurance and driving skills for drivers at times of heavy traffic. Are they idle after school work, which will be inefficient. Too much vehicles at roads is the problem to be solved and tough driving licence tests which checks driving skills is the coupling solution.
2 12
Bus Traveller Sunday, 21 September 2025 07:55 PM
It is more important to introduce prepaid tickets together with scanning machines to pay the bus fare like in other countries. Then no need to carry change money. Such a system can be operated without a conductor.
2 17
JuniorCitizen Sunday, 21 September 2025 08:01 PM
A "tap and go" card defeats the purpose of having a conductor. Capital investment needed upfront, but country will not bleed money in the long run. Sadly, the level of thinking is like we are still living in the 70s.. Looks like the Leyland lorry chassis will be in our culture for many more decades.
3 17
Bernard Rozarius Sunday, 21 September 2025 08:40 PM
Denim or suitable jeans with black T-shirts carrying SLTB logo would be the ideal choice. Wearing saree and driving buses
1 15
Rathnavali Sunday, 21 September 2025 08:50 PM
Mr. Minister first get the transport service updated with properly maintained clean buses. No need to have conductors if the passenger gets in and pays the bus fare with his debit card on the machine installed near the driver, as in western countries.
0 4
Eri Claud Sunday, 21 September 2025 09:09 PM
Bus is not a flight. Air hosters wear saree. You mean ladies Bus drivers to wear saree? This is a joke forever.
0 2
Best of the best foolish mind Sunday, 21 September 2025 09:11 PM
How about giving them the pilot's uniform instead?
0 1
Jude Sunday, 21 September 2025 09:40 PM
What's Uniforms got to do with service level!???
0 1
Jude Sunday, 21 September 2025 09:42 PM
Idea is good, but as always the execution is poor!!!
1 0
Jude Sunday, 21 September 2025 09:43 PM
I personally think this move Not gonna give desired results.
0 0
JD Sunday, 21 September 2025 09:51 PM
Good move but the dress would be impractical.
0 1
cineha Sunday, 21 September 2025 10:18 PM
Start with the basics rather trying to be air bone with your crap. First try to introduce comfortable AC buses. Cotton pants and shirts will be the most practical option.
0 4
Jude Sunday, 21 September 2025 10:55 PM
As usual what they are doing is just a show. Oh yeah
0 2
Dr FERDINAND Monday, 22 September 2025 12:13 AM
they are 100% better drivers , but get some good reliable buses from u.k. or france, it is a tough job so government must give them a hand. if done it is a way forward
0 1
Jude Monday, 22 September 2025 03:12 AM
It's a male dominant job, but I doubt women can succeed. Maybe 2 or 3 will.
0 1
Herman Perera Monday, 22 September 2025 03:15 AM
Comfort
0 0
Nimal R Monday, 22 September 2025 03:32 AM
This is just playing for the gallery. Instead, why not use that money for improving facilities in bus stands and terminals. Also, why discriminate against men? Shouldn't they too be given good looking uniforms in that case?
0 2
Suggestion Monday, 22 September 2025 03:35 AM
As mentioned previously by a commentator, a uniform consisting of dark blue or grey trousers and white short sleeve shirt with the SLTB logo would be the most appropriate. Saree is definitely not appropriate for safety reasons.
0 3
Indra Dasa Monday, 22 September 2025 05:05 AM
If Sri Lanka COULD afford improve the SLTB Fleet with SCANIA , VOLVO, MB ,easy to handle by female drivers . In most of the developed countries Female Drivers employed in public transport services provide excellent services to the Public . Hope Sri Lanka could afford such a vibrant service in the near future due to cracking down malpractices , waste of Money and mainly corruption in ever sector .
0 4
Jude Monday, 22 September 2025 05:15 AM
These are just Cosmetic changes!!! What authorities must do is improve the service. And punctuality. Need More buses!!
0 2
Vajira Monday, 22 September 2025 06:45 AM
Saree may not be the ideal uniform. It is good to have a uniform but it should be conformable for the person. It is the service that is important.
0 1
Anthony Monday, 22 September 2025 07:15 AM
An appropriate uniform would be pants and a short sleeved top with the SLTB logo. Air hostess's serve passengers. Draping a saree and working in tropical heat is not a good idea. The conductor's movement will also be restricted. Bus drivers and conductors do a different job. You can have an air hostess style uniform for the staff who are working in the office. I'm sure we have enough of the fairer sex who can take on this challenge.
0 1
Jude Monday, 22 September 2025 07:18 AM
Air hostess uniform appropriate COZ buses are flying!!!
0 1
Rogan Monday, 22 September 2025 07:19 AM
Nothing will happen..all talk and drama
0 2
Raven Monday, 22 September 2025 07:40 AM
As usual this government is approaching the issue from the backside. Soon we will have women's problems too in public transport. No woman will be untouched.
0 1
Terrence K Monday, 22 September 2025 09:13 AM
Bimal comes out with some lapai Sipai ideas. Before you promote the idea for a uniform you must look at the practicality of wearing such uniform in a tropical country like Sri Lanka. Also don't try to antagonize the Air Hostesses by comparing their uniform with Bus Conductors as Air hostesses have skills which have been fine tuned to cater to a specialized sector of hospitality for an International clientele. But for all this to materialize the CTB should be equipped with a fleet of buses and there should be seats for all passengers. Promoting sarees will not be suitable in an emergency because bus conductors should have the agility to move about as sarees restrict due to the space between seats. First start with the simple things to make the passengers comfortable without building 'CASTLES IN THE AIR"
0 2
Mark Anandappa Monday, 22 September 2025 09:26 AM
Please check the Public transport in Other countries. They never do crazy things like this. This is an initiative to grant jobs to their supporters. The buses are run with only a driver
0 1
Kariyawasam Monday, 22 September 2025 09:29 AM
EGOs win on the road,,, not traffic rules
0 0
Mill Monday, 22 September 2025 05:35 PM
Dear Prez AKD, This minister is an insult to yours and your cabinets intellect and integrity by making such stupid comments! He is NOT the one. I am pretty sure this sort of comments and actions by your party folks does not reflect your party's forward thinking! Please get rid of such donkeys causing such irreparable reputation damage to yourself and your party. Respect and thank you.
0 0
Patriot Monday, 22 September 2025 07:33 PM
This idea itself is an insult expect Sri Lankan Airline objection. No clue about the proper attire for given profesion?
0 0
Sivalingam Piranavan Monday, 22 September 2025 10:14 PM
Please ctp head office number send me One problem Contact number my 0759880552
0 0
Cheryl Friday, 26 September 2025 10:01 PM
Better buses and road rules must be followed. No crowding and over loading on buses. Decades have gone by and no government in the island has ever bothered to get decent buses with seat belts and air-conditioning. There also has to be a bus card system weekly/ monthly/ annual NO MORE MONEY used as there is always the urge to steal and be corrupt. If women were to be bus drivers they should wear pants and a shirt. Camera's should be on every bus as we know that theft and abuse are rampant on these buses. Good luck Mr Transport Minister. CLEARLY no more standing in buses like packed sardines.
0 0
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